Pianist, composer and teacher Pete Malinverni is a multifaceted player known for his attention to melody and delicate phrasing. Spiritual influences radiate throughout his arrangement of "Deep River," and Malinverni and host Marian McPartland end a delightful hour as they join together in a performance of the Harold Arlen standard "Get Happy."

Malinverni is a native of Niagara Falls, N.Y. He began studying classical piano at age 7, eventually studying at the Crane School of Music and the Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York. Malinverni came to New York City in 1981, and has since made a name for himself as a respected jazz pianist.

Malinverni has also taught music as a professor of jazz studies at William Paterson University in New Jersey, New York University and the Purchase Conservatory. He has composed for smaller jazz ensembles, as well as for larger forces, as in his works for vocal choir and jazz quartet. He's won grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Meet the Composer Foundation. His works for jazz piano trio were featured in the 2003 Chamber Music America concerts at Symphony Space in New York City. Every Sunday, Malinverni can be found at the Devoe Street Baptist Church in Brooklyn, where he has served as pianist and music director since 1993.

Noted jazz critic Paul de Barros has said, "[Malinverni] doesn't seem capable of playing a dishonest line." Malinverni has brought this unassuming approach to his seven albums as a leader. His latest recording with the Pete Malinverni Trio, featuring bassist Lee Hudson and master drummer Eliot Zigmund, is titled A Beautiful Thing!